NICU Sibling Activity Packs

[NICURN29]

I am a part of our Customer Service Council, and we are trying to come up with ideas to make an activity pack for our NICU siblings to use while their new brothers and sisters are here with us. We were thinking that they could be bags with things like puzzles, coloring books, crayons, stickers, etc., that would remain here for them to work on while they are here visiting.

Is there anyone who has something like this in place already? If so, would you be willing to share some resources with me?

Thanks!

[RNin2007]

We don't give seperate packs to siblings but we have coloring books available (they can color/tear pages out) and books, toys, magnadoodles, etc. that they can play with while on the unit. I think I would keep it simple (crayons/books and stickers seem enough) since attention spans seem limited in the stimulating NICU environment.

[Sweeper933]

We don't give seperate packs to siblings but we have coloring books available (they can color/tear pages out) and books, toys, magnadoodles, etc. that they can play with while on the unit. I think I would keep it simple (crayons/books and stickers seem enough) since attention spans seem limited in the stimulating NICU environment.

We pretty much have the same stuff available. Along with some books that they can look at / read / have read to them...

[3yrDiploma]

we don't have anything specific as sibling visits are limited to 15 minutes once a day.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

we don't have anything specific as sibling visits are limited to 15 minutes once a day.

I realize this is awful and non-FCC of me, but that sounds delightful. No more yanking on IV tubing, temper tantrums in the middle of the floor, and my favorite, the time the toddler somehow managed to get starkers and run down the hallway without his mom noticing.

[3yrDiploma]

I realize this is awful and non-FCC of me, but that sounds delightful. No more yanking on IV tubing, temper tantrums in the middle of the floor, and my favorite, the time the toddler somehow managed to get starkers and run down the hallway without his mom noticing.

lol....actually is delightful.....now if we could limit some of our "favorite" parent visits to 15 minutes, we'd be good to go:specs: all kidding aside, our unit isn't really young sibling friendly. Minimal bedspace area etc

[UTVOL3]

the time the toddler somehow managed to get starkers and run down the hallway without his mom noticing.

OMG LMAO

What, you don't like it when 3 year olds pick their noses and then proceed to poke the babies eye with the same finger?

Back to the question, what about a big brother or big sister T-shirt? or is that too complicated with sizes. A badge might be cool. If you had a digital camera on the unit you could have the secretary make their picture and use those cheapo clear plastic badges? Not with pins of course. Or a cheap mini photo album for them to have pics of the baby? These sort of things keep my kids entertained.

[kitty29]

What a cool idea - something nice and organized - I've submitted your idea to our unit counsil - thanks!

[RN4Little1s]

Child Life helps us create a sibling book. "Michael's book about Baby Layla's Hospital Stay" The story is pretty much the same, but they use the digital camera to take pictures and insert names into the book. It goes something like this. A picture of the hospital "This is the hospital Layla is at." A picture of the baby in her warmer/isolette/crib "This is where she sleeps." A picture with a nurse "Allison is one of the nurses who help Layla to feel better." You get the idea! They have one of those little spiral binder things. It's very cute!